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Stoner dominates in final race at Phillip Island

Jorge Lorenzo cruised to his second MotoGP world championship but his title win was overshadowed by another masterful performance by Honda rider Casey Stoner at Phillip Island.

Stoner, who is retiring at the end of the season, took his sixth consecutive victory at Phillip Island in a dominating display while Lorenzo's second place wrapped up the title.

Starting on pole for his last home Grand Prix, Stoner didn't get the best of starts but inherited the race lead after his teammate Dani Pedrosa suffered an unfortunate low-speed crash at Honda Hairpin on lap two that ended his title aspirations.

From that point on Stoner built a comfortable lead and took the chequered flag nine seconds ahead of a jubilant Lorenzo, while Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow stepped up to the podium for the second time this year after finishing in third place.

"It's been a fantastic build up and it was very important for me to win a race before I retired and to do it at my home Grand Prix was a fairy tale," said Stoner.

"The fans have been amazing, I've never seen Cowes so busy and I know a big part of that is because of this being my last race here so it gives me a great feeling and pride as an Aussie to go out there and win."

"The weather was better but still quite cool meaning that softer compound slicks were preferred by almost every rider for the race," said Shinji Aoki - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department.

"Considering the cool, unpredictable weather we've had at Phillip Island I am satisfied with tyre performance as there were no complaints about warm-up performance which is always a major consideration at this circuit."

Lorenzo was understandably delighted with his second world title.

"This moment is so sweet for me," he told BBC Sport.

"I've been patient and working very hard for so long and now the title has come."